Sylvania



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

- J. G. SOHREUDER.

SIGNAL.

No. 606,429. Patented June 28,1898.

i Di! we NORRIS PETERS c0, momummmsmnamm u. c.

(No Model) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. G. SGHREUDBR.

SIGNAL.

No. 606,429. r Patented June28, 1898.

FIG. 7.

WITH E55 ES':

2/02" I QJNEQMM Atty.

JENS G. SOIIREUDER, OF EDGEWVOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SIVITOH AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENN- SYLVANIA.

. SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 606,429 dated June 28, 1898. Application filed February 21, 1898. Serial No. 671,105. [No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ENS G. SCHREUDER, a subject of the King of Sweden and Norway, residing at Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Signals, of which improvements the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in semaphore-signals for railways, and has for its object a construction of signal and its controlling or operating means whereby the signal will be returned automatically to normal or danger position from caution or clear positions.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed. a

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elesemaphorecasting, which is provided with an 7 vation of a semaphore-signal having my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional View, 011 an enlarged scale, of the automatic mechanism for returning the signal to normal position. Fig. 4. is a View in elevation of the automatic mechanism, the inclosing.

case or shell being removed. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on' the line V V, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the signal-blade casting. Figs. 7 and 8 are views in elevation, illustrating a modification of my improvement; and Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the operating mechanism.

In the practice of my invention a plate 1, provided with a projecting boss 2, which forms a bearing for the semaphore, is bolted or otherwise secured to the signal-post 3. A shaft or pivot-pin 4. is secured to the plate 1, with its axis in line with the center of the boss 2, and on the shaft or pin is mounted the semaphorecasting 5, which is provided on one side with a socket or seat 6 for the reception of one end of the blade 7 and on the opposite side with rings or spectacle-frames 8 for the reception of lenses for night-signaling. The semaphore-casting is so constructed that the spectacle-frame will counterbalance or nearly counterbalance the blade 7 when secured to the casting. It is preferred to interpose antifriction-balls 9 between the boss 2 and the and 13 are so constructed as to fit between each other, with their beveled or inclined edges bearing against each other. The block 12 is held from rotation on the pin or shaft, but with a freedom of longitudinal movement along it, by any suitable meansfor example, making the portion of the shaft or pin on which the block is mounted angular in crosssection and the opening through the block of corresponding shape, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.. The block is yieldingly held from movement along the pin or shaft aby a spring 7 14, bearing at one end against the block and at the opposite end against a washer 15, se cured on the pin or shaft orother stationary abutment. These several parts are protected by a shell 16, as shown in Fig. 3.

It is characteristic of my improvement that when the signal, which is designed to be shifted by the usual or any suitable connections to an operating-lever, is moved to either clear or caution position the block will be forced along the pin or shaft, compressing the spring bythe sliding of the beveled edges of the lugs 11 on the edges of the lugs 13. When the signal is free to move, the compressed spring will push the block inwardly and the wedge-like action of the lugs 13 on the lugs 11 will cause the signal to return to normal position.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a modified form in which a spring is placed under tension, bythe shifting of the signal from normal position and its tension utilized forreturning it to such position.

- In the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 9 a spring 14 is arranged around the signal-rod 17, and bears at its ends against two abutments 18 and 18, which are movable to compress the spring in one direction, but are held as against any movement in the opposite di position When free to move.

rection. These abutm ents are preferably constructed in the form of sleeves fitting around the-rod 17, and one of them, as 18, is supported or held stationary by a socket 19, forming the lower end of the shell or cylinder 20. The other sleeve bears against one end of a shell 20, secured to the signal-post, and serves as a guide for the sleeves. On the signal-rod are secured collars 21 21, adapted to bear against and shift the sleeves. If a down-pull be exerted on the signal-rod to shift the signal to caution position, the collar 21 will force the sleeve or abutment 18 clown- Ward, compressing the spring, which Will become effective to return the signal to normal If the rod 17 be moved up to clearthe signal, the sleeve 18" Will be shifted and the spring compressed.

As shown in Fig. 8, this device maybe applied toa signal independent of the operatingrod, the rod 17 being connected to the blade on the side of its pivotal point opposite to that to which the operating-rod is connected.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. The combination of a semaphore-signal, mechanism for shifting the signal to clear and caution positions and a mechanism operative onthe signal at one side of its pivotal support for automatically shifting the signal from both clear and caution positions to normal position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a semaphore-signal,

mechanism for shifting the signal to clear and caution positions and a mechanism connected to the signal on one side of its pivotal support and rendered operative by the shifting of the signal for automatically returning the signal from both clear and caution positions to normal position, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a semaphore-signal, mechanism for shifting the signal to clear and caution positions and a spring connected to the signal at one side of its pivotal support and adapted to be placed under tension by the movement of the signal to clear and caution positions, whereby it is rendered operative to return the signal, when free to move to normal position, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a semaphore-signal provided with an inclined bearing-surface at one side of its pivotal support, a non-rotatable block provided with a correspondinglyinclined bearing-surface, a spring for yieldingly holding the inclined surfaces against each other and means for shifting the signal to clear and caution positions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JENS G. SOHREUDER.

Witnesses DARWIN S. WOLCOTT, M. S. MURPHY. 

